Description

CHELTENHAM

SO9421NE MONTPELLIER VILLAS
630-1/18/574 (West side)
05/05/72 Nos.27-32 (Consecutive)
and attached railings to Nos 28, 31
and 32

GV II

Terrace of 6 houses with attached forecourt railings to Nos
28, 31 and 32; now house (No.30) and flats. c1824-8. Architect
probably John Forbes. Stucco over brick with hipped slate
roofs, brick and stucco party-wall stacks; with wrought-iron
balconies; balcony divider between Nos 28 and 29; and porches
to Nos 28 and 29.
PLAN: 3 pairs of quasi semi-detached houses with adjoining
entrance bays set back between and to ends, entrance range to
left (No.27 and to Nos 28 and 29 are full-height;
single-storey to Nos 30 and 31; and full-height to right
(No.32); and with service ranges to rear.
EXTERIOR: main ranges each of 3 storeys with basement, 4
first-floor windows, single-bay entrance ranges. Stucco
detailing to main ranges includes horizontal rustication to
ground floor; first floor windows have tooled architraves;
crowning moulded string, frieze and cornice with blocking
course, raised to centres. Main ranges have 6/6 sashes
throughout, all in plain reveals and with sills. Recessed
ranges have (to first floor) 6/6 sashes where original; blind
opening at right has tooled architrave; second floors have 3/6
sashes, blind to right. Basements have 3/6, 6/6, 4/4 and 4/8
sashes. End and paired entrances: steps to 4- and 5-panel
doors (some part-glazed, some with raised and fielded upper
panels) with overlights, some with glazing bars. Right return
has 3 first-floor windows; 6/6 sashes with blind openings at
right, those to ground floor with tooled architraves.
INTERIOR: noted as retaining original joinery with panelled
shutters, otherwise not inspected.
SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: individual balconies to first-floor
windows, main range, and over entrance to Nos 28 and 29 have
embellished rods with scroll and lattice friezes. Balcony
divider has scrolls. Railings have spearhead bars and dog-bars
and urn finials.
HISTORICAL NOTE: the window guards and balconies are of a type
prevalent in Cheltenham c1800-1820. Originally known as
Montpellier Retreat, many of the houses along the street were
designed by Forbes, who lived at No.31 c1826-7 and became
architect and surveyor to the Pittville Estate c1835-6.

(Blake S: 'The Unfortunate Mr Forbes': Cheltenham Local
History Society Journal: 1989-: 7-27).

Listing NGR: SO9462621532

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26667012

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

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